1. Sea Buckthorn plants are grown without pesticides or herbicides.
2. Fruit is picked and brought to factory within 48 hours of picking.
3. Fruit is cleaned and washed and tested for contaminants
4. Berries are crushed and seed separated from fruit pulp.
5. Seeds are cleaned and crushed.
6. Seeds are put through supercritical C02 extraction process to protect valuable phytochemicals.
7. The fruit oil is extracted by centrifuge.
8. Our seed and fruit oils are pure without any additives.

Sea Buckthorn berries are clustered on the branch like shiny orange gems. They will remain on the branch all winter extending the harvesting period in colder regions.

Oil from the Sea Buckthorn berry is a deep red colour due to its high carotene content which includes valuable lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene. Fruit Oil is the most potent source of palmitoleic acid (C16:1) with values as high as 34%. This fatty acid supports cellular regeneration as a component of the skin fat and creates a silky soft and smooth feeling to the skin. In addition it contains tocopherols, tocotrienols and phytosterols. Among the 41 carotenoids found so far in Sea Buckthorn are alpha- and beta and gamma carotene, lutein, lycopene, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, taraxanthin and phytofluin. Its low peroxide value makes it a very stable oil. Sea Buckthorn fruit oil also contains flavonoids, omega 3 and 6, DHA and numerous trace elements. The oil is a valuable ingredient in topical applications as well as nutraceutical formulations. It has long been used to promote the healing of burns and is an ingredient in several commercial sunscreen and cosmetic products.

Fatty Acid Profile

Saturated 35%
Monounsaturated 57%
Polyunsaturated 9%

Herbal oil extracts in traditional herbal medicine

Sea Buckthorn oil is an example of traditional herbal medicine formulation called oil extract. Just like alcohol extracts are obtained by the extraction of herbs with ethyl alcohol, the oil extracts are manufactured by extraction of herbs with vegetable oils. Olive oil is used most frequently, Almond, Apricot and several others oils are utilized occasionally, the butter was also employed in some recipes.

What is the difference between the herbal oils obtained by expression, solvent extraction, steam distillation or other methods? The overall content of oils in some herbs are not sufficient to make efficient the use of a press. On the other hand, steam distillation works only for volatile (essential) oils and may inactivate some temperature sensitive bioactive nutrients, important for the biological action. Extraction with organic solvent is frequently utilized for the manufacturing of food additives and flavors from herbs. Apparently, no one will argue that direct oil extraction is preferable to organic solvents for the skin care products. Supercritical CO2 extraction is sometimes mentioned as a viable alternative to direct oil extraction. At the same time, it is known that chemical composition of supercritical CO2 herbal extracts is not identical to that of oil extracts. Thus, CO2 extracts may be depleted in nutrients, present in oil extracts, and responsible for the health beneficial action. Clinical trials and scientific research conducted to demonstrate biological activity, therapeutic efficiency and safety of oil extracts were not repeated with CO2 extracts. Thus, at best it remains to be seen, how good are CO2 extracts as a substitute for traditional oil extracts. Last, but probably, most important, all knowledge of healing effects of oil extracts, acquired over the centuries of trials and mistakes, are applicable to oil extracts only, until proven otherwise.

It is essential to recognize two different by origin types of Sea Buckthorn oil: Seed Sea Buckthorn oil – yellow oil which represent a combination of fatty acids obtained from Sea Buckthorn seeds and Fruit Sea Buckthorn oil – red to brown oil obtained from the whole fruit and containing wide variety of ingredients. Seed oil is a good source of essential fatty acids, similar to Olive, Almond, Borage and other seed oils, and may be used as a dietary supplement. Fruit oil is similar to traditional herbal medicine used to treat various skin conditions, wounds, ulcers and as cosmetic ingredients, it also may be used as a dietary aid.

Sea Buckthorn oil extracts from Floraleads GR.

Sea Buckthorn oil extract manufactured by Floaraleads GR has only two ingredients: Sea Buckthorn berries and high grade extra virgin olive oil. Sea Buckthorn oil extract is obtained from the wildcrafted berries of Sea Buckthorn by multistage extraction into extra virgin olive oil. The extraction technology is based on the method originally designed in Russia, where Sea Buckthorn oil became available as a commercial product more than 50 years ago. It was further improved with advanced biocompatible techniques to develop safe, effective, stable, all-natural skin care product. SeaBuckthorn oil extract is all natural product, free of artificial additives, residuals of organic solvents or synthetic contaminants. That is one of the reasons why it works well with sensitive, easily irritated skin. Sea Buckthorn oil extract does not leave residuals as virtually all ingredients may be absorbed and assimilated by the skin. The nutrients are extracted from Sea Buckthorn berries in soluble form and the presence of insoluble ingredients is negligible.

Sea Buckthorn extracts are traditionally utilized in the treatment of injuries of the skin and and conditions of mucous, including bed sores, burns, chronic wounds, erosions and ulcers. The wound healing action is apparently achieved through the combination of moisturizing, antibacterial anti-inflammatory and regeneration promoting effects and absence of skin irritation (click to review) Sea Buckthorn oil extract are also beneficial as nourishing and anti-aging skin care and facial care, and are used in various cosmetic skin products. To review click here

Various skin care, cosmetic and dietary products made of Sea Buckthorn are traditionally popular in different parts of the world. Besides Sea Buckthorn oil extract obtained with Olive oil, Floraleads GR produces Sea Buckthorn base anti-aging cream, and oil blend of Sea Buckthorn and Rose hip oils. Sustainol is a herbal dietary supplement combining nutritional benefits of Sea Buckthorn along with those of Bilberry.